Broadcast system with associated data capabilities

Abstract

A broadcast system includes a device to compare program material to be transmitted with a database of known material, and to transmit along with the program material data corresponding to that program material. A corresponding receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the program material. The user selectively stores the data on a magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for simultaneously transmitting program material and data corresponding to the program material, comprising: a plurality of program sources;   a transmitter;   a mixing board for routing said program material from a selected one of said program sources to said transmitter by selectively switching among said program sources and providing as an output signal said program material from said selected program source;   program source detection means coupled to said mixing board for providing a program source signal corresponding to said selected program source;   program material recognition means, coupled to said mixing board output signal, for comparing said program material with a database of known program material data and generating a program material identifying signal in response to the results of said comparison; and   a data stream generator, coupled to said program recognition means, to said program source detection means and to said transmitter, for applying a data stream to said transmitter for transmission with the program material responsive to said program material identifying signal and said program source signal.   
     
     
       2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data corresponding to the program material comprise a computer software program; said system further comprising a receiver, including, a demodulator for detecting said program material and said computer software program;   means for reproducing said program material; and   data memory means for storing said computer software program.   
     
     
       3. A method of simultaneously transmitting program material and data corresponding to the program material, comprising the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of program sources for said program material;   comparing said program material with a database of known program material data;   generating a program material identifying signal in response to the results of said step of comparing;   applying said program material to a first input of a transmitter; and   selectively applying a data stream corresponding to the program material identifying signal to a second input of said transmitter, in response to said steps of selecting and generating.   
     
     
       4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said data corresponding to the program material comprise a computer software program, said method further comprising the steps of: detecting at a receiver said program material and said computer software program as detected program material and detected computer software program, respectively;   reproducing said detected program material; and   storing said detected computer software program.